The National Struggle and Lenin: A small note

Immediately after the Grand National Assembly opened in Ankara, and even before the government was formed, Mustafa Kemal sent a message to Lenin to inform him that the national forces in Anatolia were “pursuing common goals with revolutionary Russia against imperialist powers.” This letter marked the beginning of the first official relations between the nascent new Turkey and Soviet Russia.

The response did not take long. The Soviets extended a helping hand to the fighting Turkish nation:

“The Soviet government, in accordance with its principles that every nation should determine its own destiny, is following with great interest the heroic struggle undertaken by the Turkish nation for success. The Soviet government also takes pleasure in the foundations laid for the establishment of a firm friendship between the Turkish and Russian nations during these difficult days for Turkey.”

This response served as the clearest evidence that the Ankara government and the National War of Liberation were supported by the Soviets. This reply sparked strong enthusiasm among the public and instilled confidence. The reading of this message from Vladimir Ilyich Lenin in the Grand National Assembly caused a storm of applause.

In May 1920, Ankara sent a special delegation to Moscow. The mission of this delegation was to establish relations with the Soviet Union and to request aid for the National War of Liberation. Due to irregular transportation, the delegates' journey took months, and they were only able to reach Moscow in July. The delegation was received by Soviet Foreign Minister Chicherin and, a few days later, by Lenin. A cooperation agreement was signed immediately. A second Ankara delegation concluded the agreement that established diplomatic relations between the two states. Thus, Soviet Russia became the first state in the world to recognize Ankara. Subsequently, it was decided that Soviet Russia would provide the Ankara government with weapons, ammunition, and gold, and would act jointly with it when necessary.

Following the agreement, weapons and ammunition began to flow into Anatolia by land and sea. The list in the agreement included the following:

— Ten million gold rubles per year as long as the National War of Liberation continues, one hundred thousand rifles, three hundred machine guns, one hundred thousand rounds of ammunition for each machine gun, sixty howitzers with their shells, enough ammunition for one hundred thousand infantry rifles, five anti-aircraft batteries, five thousand bayonets, necessary clothing and equipment, radio…

In addition to this, the Republic of Azerbaijan was also providing gas and gasoline.

Three warships that had fled from the Port of Sinop at the time the Empire signed the surrender agreement had also taken refuge in a Russian port. By Lenin's order, they were armed and sent to the national forces in Anatolia.

The leader of the Russian Revolution was following the Turkish people's struggle with great care and admired Mustafa Kemal. Before the first Soviet ambassador, Aralov, left for Ankara, Lenin called him to his side and gave his instructions:

“It is very natural that Mustafa Kemal is not a socialist. But everything shows that he is a good organizer and a clever leader. His movement is a national bourgeois revolution. He is a clever statesman who understands the meaning of our socialist revolution; his attitude toward Soviet Russia is also positive. Mustafa Kemal is waging a National War of Liberation against the occupiers. I trust that he will break the noses of the imperialists and destroy the sultan and his gang of thieves. The people also believe in him. We must help him; this also means helping the Turkish people. This is your duty. Show respect to the Turkish government and the Turkish nation. Do not be arrogant. Do not interfere in their internal affairs either…”

During this period, imperialist countries were imposing the terms of the Treaty of Sèvres on the Istanbul government.

The Treaty of Sèvres and the dreams of Lloyd George would collapse two years after their birth under the crushing blows of Mustafa Kemal. From where to where, and to this day.

Prof. Dr. Duran Bülbül